Count Ernest of Nassau, at Arnheim. The tragic death of the Prince six months later does not appear to have injured his prospects so far as they depended upon Court favour, for in the following year, after the marriage of the Princess Elizabeth with the Elector Palatine, Cecil was appointed to accompany the young couple and their train on the journey to the Palatinate, in the capacity of Treasurer, while his wife was one of the ladies in attendance on the Princess. On the birth of the Elector's first child the King sent Sir Edward and Lady Cecil on a special mission to Heidelberg to report on the health of his daughter and grandson.
After serving in what Motley calls "the phantom campaign" of 1614, he remained for the next two years with his regiment at Utrecht, and there his wife died in March, 1616. "I must confess it inflicted a very strong sorrow upon me," he writes to Sir Dudley Carleton, "for she was a dear and good wife to me. But it hath pleased God to allow me patience with my affliction, and according to your good counsel I do humbly submit myself to his pleasure."[1] A few months later it was already rumoured that he was about to marry again, the lady being Diana Drury, who was the younger sister of the second wife of his eldest brother, William, and was said to be a good match, having £10,000 or £12,000.[2] The marriage, however, did not take place till February, 1618.
